Pakistan reiterates desire to resolve outstanding issues with India via dialogue
PM Shehbaz Sharif exchanges Eid greetings with Malaysian counterpart, discusses strengthening bilateral ties
Pakistan and India engaged in worst fighting between nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999 for four days last month
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reiterated his country’s desire to resolve its
outstanding issues with India, state-run media reported, as tensions simmer between the two neighbors following
their armed conflict last month.
India and Pakistan engaged in the worst fighting between the two countries since 1999, raising fears of the prospects
of an all-out nuclear war. After both countries traded heavy fire for four days, pounding each other with missiles,
fighter jets and drone strikes, US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between them on May 10.
Speaking to his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the phone, Sharif thanked him for Kuala
Lumpur’s “support and balanced stance” during Pakistan’s conflict with India.
“The prime minister underscored that Pakistan had always strived for regional peace and stability,” state-run Radio
Pakistan said. “He reiterated that Pakistan was ready for dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, including
Jammu and Kashmir.”
Sharif separately wrote on social media account X that he looks forward to Islamabad and Kuala Lumpur deepening
and strengthening their bilateral ties.
“I greatly look forward to my visit to Malaysia later this year,” he wrote.
India and Pakistan, bitter rivals since they gained independence in 1947 from British rule, have fought two out of
three wars over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir.
Both countries administer Kashmir in parts but claim the region entirely. Pakistan accuses India of occupying
Kashmir and denying its people their right to self-determination. It regularly calls on India to abide by the United
Nations Security Council resolutions and hold a transparent plebiscite in the territory.
India, on the other hand, accuses Pakistan of arming and funding militant separatists in the part of Kashmir it
administers. Islamabad has denied the allegations and says it extends only diplomatic and moral support to the
people of Indian-administered Kashmir.
